BIO: Francis F. CUMMINS, Huntingdon County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 331-332.
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  FRANCIS FORD CUMMINS, Orbisonia, Huntingdon county, Pa., is a native 
of Westmoreland county, Pa., born in Fairfield township, October 7, 
1851. His parents are Thomas and Mary (Henderson) Cummins. Thomas 
Cummins was born in Tell township, Huntingdon county, February 22, 
1822. When he was ten or twelve years of age, his parents removed to 
Westmoreland county; there he early learned the practical part of 
farming, but for a time was engaged in engineering on the old Portage 
Railroad. During the war of the Rebellion, Thomas Cummins served for 
one year in the Two Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
taking part in the battles of Petersburg, Hatchers Run, Fort Steadman, 
and a number of minor engagements. He was mustered out in June, 1865. 
His wife was Mary, daughter of John A. Henderson, of Westmoreland 
county. Their children are: Francis Ford; James H., blacksmith at 
Johnstown, Pa., married Mary Myers; George W., on the old homestead in 
Westmoreland county, a man of very great industry, married Sophia 
Spyer; and Sarah Margaret, married in 1896 to W. A. Cauffield, who is 
in mercantile business at West Fairfield, Pa. Thomas Cummins died in 
1891; his wife survived him until March, 1896.
  The early youth of Francis F. Cummins was passed on his father's 
farm; his education was obtained in the common schools. Mr. Thomas 
Cummins had upon his farm a carpenter shop and a forge, in which his 
sons learned very valuable lessons, acquiring practical knowledge of 
two of the most useful handicrafts. With the mechanical skill thus 
obtained, and the small capital laid up by economizing his earnings as 
a boy, Francis started out hopefully to make his way in the world, and 
very well has he accomplished his intention. Full of youthful strength 
and enterprise, he took to himself a helpmate, and was for some time a 
farmer. But his wife's ill health obliged him to leave the farm. She 
died, leaving him with a little daughter, Elsie G., not quite two years 
old. After roaming around for a time, Mr. Cummins set out for Arizona, 
in the congenial company of J.F. Trimble. At Holbrook, Arizona, Mr. 
Cummins found employment as a carpenter, in building bridges for the 
A.P.R.R.Co. After six months of faithful service, he was promoted to be 
bridge inspector, and held that position for two years. He then went to 
Colorado, his companion remaining in Arizona. Mr. Cummings now engaged 
with the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Company, as bridge builder, but 
remained in their employ only six months, and then returned to his home 
and to farming. In 1889, he determined once more to seek his fortunes 
in the wide west, having up to this time made but slow advances towards 
a competency; his spirit and determination were, however, undiminished. 
His destination now was Washington. For some time he made Seattle and 
Tacoma his headquarters, going from those points in various directions, 
building bridges. Hearing of large finds of gold-bearing quartz, he 
concluded to try prospecting for a while; so, providing himself with 
the necessary outfit, he set out to explore the valleys of the White, 
Green and Black rivers, and parts of Oregon. But the result was not 
encouraging; and in 1890 Mr. Cummins once more sought the old Keystone 
State, whose promise, if not so dazzling as that of the great gold-
fields, is more sure. He first came to Westmoreland county, and soon 
after, in partnership with Harry L. Henderson, engaged in mercantile 
business at Newport, Perry county. In August of the same year, buying 
his partner's interest, Mr. Cummins came to Orbisonia and opened a 
general store, in which he has since carried on a thriving and ever 
increasing trade. This is due not only to his business ability, but to 
his upright and strictly impartial dealing. Mr. Cummins has built a 
fine modern residence in Orbisonia. In the spring of 1896, he purchased 
a farm of 219 acres in Cromwell township. He is a Democrat of the 
Jacksonian type; is interested in politics, but has never been willing 
to hold office. As a citizen and as a man, Mr. Cummins is held in high 
esteem.
  Francis Ford Cummins was married the second time in Westmoreland 
county to C. May, daughter of Robert Cauffield, of that county. They 
have five children: Georgiana; Mary Jane; Elmer Cauffield; Homer Wray; 
and Ruth Elizabeth.